THE SACRAMENT OF Marriage

Marriage in the Church

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.

Code of Canon Law, #1055

Congratulations on your decision to marry in the Church.

We are very happy for you and will begin to pray for you as soon as you contact us. We want you to have a great marriage, one in which Jesus is an intimate part. The preparation for marriage is a time in your engagement to grow in your relationship with God, in emotional intimacy and knowledge of one another, and to grow in spiritual understanding of marriage as a sacrament of the Church. The priest will guide you through this preparation period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone prepare for marriage at St. Dominic's?

Sorry, we can’t prepare everyone, but we can help those who are:

Already registered parishioners (at least a year) or someone who lives within the parish boundaries;

Someone who has a special circumstance. Please write a letter explaining your circumstances to the Pastor, Fr. Roberto Corral, OP, and secure at a later date the permission of your own pastor.

How long does it take?

The Archdiocese requires a six-month preparation period.

What if we plan to get married at another parish?

We will prepare your required paperwork here and send it to the parish where you will be married. A donation of $200 covers the cost of the FOCCUS inventory and some of the priest's time.

WEDDINGS AT ST. DOMINIC'S

To Begin

Contact the parish office (323) 254-2519 and speak to the duty priest. Do not make reservations for a reception hall until a date is scheduled.

Weddings times

Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Other days are considered on a case-by-case basis.
No weddings occur on Sundays or during Lent.

Rehearsal times

Fridays: 7:00 p.m.
other days and times by arrangement

Married Civilly?

Some couples have married civilly but not sacramentally in the Church. A priest can describe to couples on a case-by-case basis how they may have their marriage convalidated, or blessed in the Catholic Church to make it a sacrament. Please call the office to make an appointment with a priest if you want to have your civil marriage convalidated.

Previously Married?

Please contact the parish office and speak to the duty priest to discuss what steps may be needed before a wedding date can be set.

Paperwork (All Couples)

Baptismal Certificate (The Catholic Certificate is to be acquired within the last six months)

Confirmation Certificate(s)

Two Pre-Nuptial Witness Forms for each of you (Your priest can give you the forms, or you can download this one)

State of California Marriage License (Unless this license is present, no wedding can occur)

Paperwork (Some Couples)

Record of Permission for Mixed-Marriage (For a Catholic to marry a person baptized in another Christian Faith)

Petition for Dispensation for Disparity of Worship (For a Catholic to marry a non-baptized person)

Permission to be married in another parish / diocese

Fees

For couples contacting the parish after July 1, 2017

Use of the church - due 2 months prior to the wedding$600 for parishioners* with a record of giving$850 for parishioners* with no record of giving
​$2000 for non-parishioners

Music - $200

music must be coordinated through our Director, Mr. Rudy Acosta 323-258-9854

Wedding Coordinator - $200

Marriage preparation and FOCCUS inventory - included

Engaged Encounter or Pre-Cana Conference - variable

Marriage preparation for couples being married elsewhere - $200

We do not turn away couples because of financial hardship. Talk to the priest preparing you about what arrangements can be made.

* A parishioner is someone who lives within our parish boundaries, whether they are registered or not, or someone who lives outside our boundaries, but is registered and attends Sunday Mass at St. Dominic's.

To Do

First Meeting with priest: Complete the Pre-nuptial Inventory

Register for Engaged Encounter or Parish Pre-Cana Program

Complete the online FOCCUS Inventory and complete the follow-up meetings with the priest

Prayers of the Faithful

Resources

Couples who are serious enough about their faith to use NFP have a divorce rate less than 1%. Download the study.

Matrimony Staff

Fr. Roberto Corral, OP, Pastor

Fr. Francis Goode, OP, Associate Pastor

Fr. Donald Bramble, OP, MSW Prior and Associate Pastor

Rudy Acosta, Director of Music

"Holy Orders and Matrimony are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so.
They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God."